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St. Petersburg Explores Green Infrastructure for Flood Protection and Urban Resilience

St. Petersburg Explores Green Infrastructure for Flood Protection and Urban Resilience

St. Petersburg, Florida, is actively investigating and implementing green infrastructure solutions to enhance flood protection and urban resilience. The city is testing various natural and engineered natural features, such as rain gardens, tree trenches, bioswales, permeable pavement, and constructed wetlands, to manage stormwater runoff. These initiatives aim to supplement traditional drainage systems by capturing runoff where it falls, filtering pollutants, and allowing water to infiltrate the ground more slowly. For instance, the city is installing landscaped catchment areas near Seventh Street and 50th Avenue N. to pull nutrients from runoff before it enters Tampa Bay. Additionally, artificial reefs made of concrete oyster balls are being used along the shoreline at Maximo Park to break up wave energy and slow erosion, demonstrating their effectiveness in land preservation. City officials acknowledge that while green infrastructure cannot entirely prevent major storm surges or handle extreme rainfall e...
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CIM-BGV Impact Ventures Expands Affordable Housing Fund to Over $370 Million with New Capital Commitments

CIM-BGV Impact Ventures Expands Affordable Housing Fund to Over $370 Million with New Capital Commitments

CIM-BGV Impact Ventures Expands Affordable Housing Fund to Over $370 Million with New Capital Commitments
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U.S. Health Officials Report Rise in 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria Cases and Deaths

U.S. Health Officials Report Rise in 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria Cases and Deaths

Health officials across the U.S. are issuing warnings regarding an increase in infections and deaths linked to Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as 'flesh-eating' bacteria. This rare bacterium naturally occurs in warm saltwater and brackish water. Infections can occur through direct contact with contaminated water, especially for individuals with open wounds or broken skin. Another common route of infection is consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. So far this year, Florida has reported four deaths from 21 cases, and Louisiana has reported six deaths from 17 cases. South Carolina has also reported three cases, with one related death. While healthy individuals typically experience mild illness, the bacteria poses a significant risk to those with weakened immune systems, chronic liver disease, or other underlying health conditions. Severe infections can lead to intensive care, limb amputations, and a fatality rate of about one in five, sometimes within 24 to 48 hours of illness onset.
ReutersReuters
Orion180 Insurance valued at $1.14 billion as shares fall in debut

Orion180 Insurance valued at $1.14 billion as shares fall in debut

By Atharva Singh Sept 18 (Reuters) - Orion180 Insurance was valued at $1.14 billion after its shares fell in its Nasdaq debut on Friday, setting a cautious tone for other insurers eyeing public listings later this year.
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Hillsborough County Reports First Dengue Fever-Related Death Amidst Rising Cases and Aggressive Mosquito Control Efforts

Hillsborough County Reports First Dengue Fever-Related Death Amidst Rising Cases and Aggressive Mosquito Control Efforts

Hillsborough County, Florida, has reported its first dengue fever-related death, as the county accounts for 88% of Florida's locally acquired dengue cases, with 134 infections reported so far. Doctors at Tampa General Hospital have treated over 100 dengue patients, noting severe symptoms like 'break-bone fever.' In response to the escalating situation, Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services is conducting aggressive aerial and truck-based treatments to eliminate both adult mosquitoes and larvae. These efforts appear to be effective, with mosquito trap numbers decreasing in certain locations and adult mosquito samples testing negative for dengue over the past two weeks. Furthermore, laboratory tests confirm that infected female mosquitoes are not passing the virus to their offspring. County officials are urging residents to assist by eliminating standing water on their properties and using bug spray, as the Aedes aegypti mosquito, responsible for dengue transmission, primarily breeds in man-made co...
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New Study Reveals Mosquito Attraction to Humans Driven by Skin Scent and Microbiomes

New Study Reveals Mosquito Attraction to Humans Driven by Skin Scent and Microbiomes

A recent study published in iScience indicates that mosquitoes are selectively attracted to humans based on individual skin scent and microbiomes. Lead researcher Matthew DeGennaro found that while there isn't a universal 'mosquito magnet,' specific mosquito species show preferences. For instance, Aedes aegypti, a vector for Zika and dengue, favored male participants and individuals with higher levels of Staphylococcus bacteria but lower levels of cyclic alcohols. Aedes albopictus was drawn to abundant bacteria, odors, and ketones, while Culex quinquefasciatus avoided odors but liked chemicals found in essential oils. The study, conducted in Florida, tested the attraction of these three species to 119 human participants. Participants wore nylon sleeves to capture skin odor and microbes after not washing for 12 to 16 hours, and their arms were then exposed to mosquitoes in a uniport olfactometer to measure attraction levels. These findings suggest that the unique composition of an individual's skin scent an...
USA TodayUSA Today
Rare 'flesh-eating' bacteria causes 9 deaths this season. See where

Rare 'flesh-eating' bacteria causes 9 deaths this season. See where

All of the season's deaths linked to the rare "flesh-eating" bacteria have occurred in these two states.
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National Museum of Natural History Appoints Francisco Werner as Sant Chair for Marine Science

National Museum of Natural History Appoints Francisco Werner as Sant Chair for Marine Science

The National Museum of Natural History has announced the appointment of Francisco "Cisco" Werner as the new Sant Chair for Marine Science. Werner brings decades of experience in ocean research, having previously served as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ Chief Science Advisor and led international marine research programs at multiple universities. In his new role, Werner will guide research at the Ocean Science Center, which comprises over 70 marine science researchers at the museum and the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Florida. His work will focus on understanding how various factors like physics, chemistry, and biology converge to create ocean environments. Werner emphasizes the interconnectedness of the museum's collections and research, viewing the ocean as a 'connective tissue' that links diverse specimens and scientific disciplines.
1Weather1Weather
100 Years Since the Great Miami Hurricane

100 Years Since the Great Miami Hurricane

The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926, which made landfall near Miami Beach on September 18, 1926, remains one of the most devastating natural disasters in Florida's history. Classified retrospectively as a Category 4 hurricane, it caused widespread destruction across South Florida, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood, before moving into the Gulf of Mexico and making a second U.S. landfall near the Alabama–Florida border. The storm left over 40,000 people homeless, caused $100 million in damages (equivalent to $164 billion today), and resulted in at least 373 deaths, with over 800 people reported missing. The centennial of this event offers an opportunity to reflect on its historical impact and its lessons for disaster preparedness.
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Travelers Express Disappointment with Popular U.S. Tourist Destinations, Citing Overcrowding and High Costs

Travelers Express Disappointment with Popular U.S. Tourist Destinations, Citing Overcrowding and High Costs

Numerous travelers have voiced significant dissatisfaction with several well-known U.S. tourist spots, including Antelope Canyon in Arizona, the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, and Disney World in Florida. Visitors to Antelope Canyon reported that tickets are excessively expensive and that the experience feels rushed, with guides often taking photos for tourists due to time constraints. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is frequently described as 'grimey' and a 'tourist-trap,' failing to meet expectations for movie enthusiasts. Disney World, despite its reputation, has drawn criticism for its high costs, overwhelming crowds, and what some perceive as subpar rides and accommodations, particularly at the Animal Kingdom Lodge where animal sightings are reportedly rare. These sentiments highlight a growing trend of disillusionment among tourists who find that the reality of these destinations falls short of their advertised appeal, often due to commercialization and overcrowding.
Palm Beach PostPalm Beach Post
Get ready for stormy Florida weekend with 'additional kick' of lightning

Get ready for stormy Florida weekend with 'additional kick' of lightning

Especially cold upper level temperatures could mean more thunderstorms that have killed six people this year in Florida.
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Inter-American Press Association Calls for Non-Deportation of Nicaraguan Journalist Detained by ICE in Florida

Inter-American Press Association Calls for Non-Deportation of Nicaraguan Journalist Detained by ICE in Florida

The Inter-American Press Association (SIP) has urged U.S. authorities to prevent the deportation of Nicaraguan journalist Luis Galeano, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. Galeano, director of the opinion program 'Café con Voz,' was arrested in Orlando while working as an Uber driver. His wife, Deykell Santamaría, stated that he will be transferred to a migrant detention center in Baker County and has a hearing scheduled for October 2. ICE has not publicly explained the reasons for his arrest. Galeano sought asylum in the U.S. in 2019 after fleeing Nicaragua in December 2018 due to an arrest warrant issued by a Managua judge. In February 2023, Nicaraguan justice declared him a 'traitor to the homeland' and stripped him of his nationality and assets, along with dozens of other critics of the Daniel Ortega government.